Grinding machine for grinding a rail of a track

ABSTRACT

A grinding machine, manually displaceable on a track, for grinding a rail of the track, includes a support frame which is guided on the rails via two rail guides and on which is disposed a drive motor coupled to a vertically adjustable grinding member. The rail guides each include a quick-change device in which one of at least two interchangeable rail guiding systems is fastened.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to a grinding machine, manually displaceable on a track, for grinding a rail of the track, having a support frame which is guided on the rails via two rail guides and on which is arranged a drive motor coupled to a vertically adjustable grinding member.

PRIOR ART

A machine of this kind is known, for example, from DE 1 154 496 B. This is a rail grinding apparatus, supported on a frame and manually mobile on a rail by means of running rollers, which is pivoted via a swivel bracket. A grinding device is raised and lowered relative to the frame by means of a spindle drive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to show an improvement over the prior art for a grinding machine of the type cited at the beginning.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a grinding machine according to claim 1. Dependent claims indicate advantageous embodiments of the invention.

The invention provides that the rail guide in each case comprises a quick-change device in which one of at least two interchangeable rail guiding systems is fastened. Thus, the rail guide can be adapted easily to the local conditions at the construction site. In particular, the different guides enable an ergonomic operation as well as a flexible use of the grinding machine depending on the work situation.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the respective quick-change device comprises a socket with internal teeth, and that the respective rail guiding system comprises a pin with external teeth. As a result of the form-fitting connection of the quick-change device, a secure guiding of the grinding machine is ensured. The pin with external teeth is pushed into the socket with internal teeth, and the respective rail guiding system is changed quickly and simply.

A further advantageous variant of the invention provides that the grinding member is connected to the drive motor via a gear unit for power transmission. In this, the transmission of power to the grinding member takes place in an optimized way, wherein the drive motor and the grinding member may be arranged on different axes.

A further improvement of the device according to the invention provides that a resistance of a vertical adjustment of the grinding member is adjustable by means of an adjustment element. Thus, the vertical adjustment can be adapted in working operations to the particular requirements, especially in order to compensate wear of the grinding member. In this, the resistance of the vertical adjustment can be set in a simple manner to the individual requirements of an operator.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a first rail guiding system comprises merely an inner plate disk and an outer plate disk for application to a rail head. For treatment of the rail head, the two plate disks are simply placed on the rail head at the desired angle. This ensures a rapid and uncomplicated work progress.

In this, it is useful if an axis of rotation of the outer plate disk is inclined downward at an angle relative to an axis of rotation of the inner plate disk. In this manner, a greater retention- or clamping force acts from the rail on the grinding machine during the lateral grinding of the rail. The grinding member is pulled harder towards the rail head, as a result of which an operator needs to apply less power.

Another advantageous variant of the invention provides that a second rail guiding system comprises two plate disks, a guide roller and a guide hook for application to a rail head. This variant of embodiment is suited particularly for use in a switch area or at rail crossings.

It is additionally advantageous if the respective rail guiding system is rotatably supported on an axle carrier. With this, the grinding machine is guided at the required angle to the rail and in the position desired by the operator.

In this, it is expedient if the axle carrier is connected to a guiding handle which is rotatable about a carrier axis and can be installed alternatingly. In this way, the grinding machine can be adapted simply to the individual ergonomic requirements and can be guided at the desired angle to the rail. As a result of the alternating installation of the guiding handle, the grinding machine can be used by right-handed as well as left-handed persons.

As a further improvement, the guiding handle can be locked via a locking device. Thus, the guiding handle, rotatable together with the axle carrier, can be locked simply in the desired position. If the locking device is active, no change of angle between the support frame and the guiding handle is possible, thus guaranteeing safe working.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking device is designed as a multi-disc brake. Multi-disc brakes are subject to only very little wear and are almost maintenance-free, making them not only very reliable in operation but also very durable and dependable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. There is shown in schematic representation in:

FIG. 1 view of the grinding machine

FIG. 2 first detail view of a rail guide

FIG. 3 second detail view of a rail guide

FIG. 4 detail view of a first rail guiding system

FIG. 5 first detail view of a second rail guiding system

FIG. 6 second detail view of a second rail guiding system

FIG. 7 grinding machine during treatment of a rail head

FIG. 8 grinding machine with guide on a check rail

FIG. 9 grinding machine during lateral treatment of a rail head

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A grinding machine 1, visible in FIG. 1, for grinding rails 2 of a track 3 comprises a support frame 5, extending in a longitudinal direction 4 of the track, at each end of which is arranged an axle carrier 7, mounted for rotation about a carrier axis 6 together with a rail guide 8 designed to roll on the rails 2. Arranged in each case on the axle carrier 7 at both longitudinal ends of the support frame 5 is a bow-shaped guiding handle 9 by means of which the support frame 5 and a drive motor 10, arranged on the support frame 5, including a grinding member 11 (grinding disk, grinding stone) can be pivoted about the carrier axis 6.

Additionally provided is a locking device 12 between the support frame 5 and the guiding handle 9, designed in FIG. 1 as a multi-disk brake as an example. The guiding handle 9 can be rotated by the operator in a desired angle to the support frame 5 and locked. Serving as a locking device 12, for example, is a multi-disk brake adjustable via a lever 13. Furthermore, the guiding handle 9 can be mounted on the support frame 5 at either side as viewed in the longitudinal direction 4 of the track.

In working operations, the respective rail guide 8 in each case comprises one of two different, alternatively usable rail guiding systems 14, 15. During a grinding procedure, either a first rail guiding system 14 or a second rail guiding system 15 is installed. (In FIG. 1, both rail guiding systems are shown for illustration).

At a lower end 16, the support frame 5 additionally has two support rollers 17, designed to roll on the rails 2, and a carrying handle 18 at either end. The support rollers 17 (copying rollers) roll on the rail surface and form a surface reference for the grinding member 11.

The grinding member 11 is arranged to be variable as to its height by means of a vertical adjustment 19. For example, a spindle rotatable by a hand wheel 34 and a corresponding counterpart serve as vertical adjustment 19. A rotation resistance at the hand wheel 34 can be adjusted by means of an adjustment element 20 acting on a disk spring package 21. To that end, the adjustment element 20 is designed, for example, as a union nut with a non-slip surface. The variable vertical adjustment 19 in combination with the exchangeable rail guiding systems 14, 15 and the adjustable guiding handle 9 enables a particularly efficient and ergonomic mode of operation as well as flexible usability of the grinding machine 1.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show two exploded views of the rail guides 8 with the two rail guiding systems 14, 15. The particular rail guiding system 14, 15 is exchanged by means of a quick-change device 22 guided in the axle carrier 7. At the frame side, the quick-change device 22 comprises a rotatably mounted sliding socket 23 open at both ends and having internal teeth. As counterpart of the respective quick-change device 22, a pin 24 with external teeth is pushed into said sliding socket 23 and locked.

In particular, the respective rail guiding system 14, 15 comprises one such pin 24. Thus, for example, the first rail guiding system 14 can be mounted at an inner front side of the sliding socket, and the second rail guiding system 15 can be mounted at an outer side of the sliding socket. For transport or storage, both rail guiding systems can thus also be mounted at the same time. A fixation of the respective pin 24 takes place via a screw, but can also be carried out via a lever, for example, in a variant not shown.

In FIG. 4, a detail view of the first rail guiding system 14 is visible. The first rail guiding system 14 comprises merely an inner plate disk 25 and an outer plate disk 26 for application to a rail head 27. The plate disk 26 which is at the outer side during lateral grinding of the rail head 27 has a greater diameter than the inner plate disk 25. Each plate disk 25, 26 is mounted for rotation about a respective axis of rotation 28, 29, wherein the axis of rotation 29 of the outer plate disk 26 is inclined downward at an angle α with respect to the axis of rotation 28 of the inner plate disk 25. By means of the two plate disks 25, 26, the rail head 27 can be surrounded in a simple manner in order to ensure secure guiding of the grinding machine 1. In this, the inclination of the outer plate disk 26 about the angle α improves the holding force acting by the rail head 27 on the grinding machine 1, thus relieving an operator during lateral grinding.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, two detail views of the second rail guiding system 15 are visible. The second rail guiding system 15 comprises two plate disks 30, a guide roller 31 and a guide hook 32 for application to the rail head 27. The plate disks 30 are also mounted for rotation on axes arranged at an angle to one another. The second rail guiding system 15 can be applied to a rail 2 or to other elements of the track 3 (check rail, guide rail) in different positions, whereby an efficient treatment of switches or rail crossings is facilitated.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show various possibilities of using the grinding machine 1 with installed second rail guiding system 15. In FIG. 7, the grinding machine 1 is supported upright on the rail head 27 on the support rollers 17. Guide hooks 32 and guide rollers 31 of the second rail guiding system 15 enclose the rail head 27. This position is suited especially for head grinding of the rail 2.

In FIG. 8, the grinding machine 1 is also supported upright on the rail head 27 by means of support rollers 17. However, the second rail guiding system 15 is arranged rotated by 180° relative to the position shown in FIG. 7. This position is suited especially in a switch region. During this, one of the plate disks 30 is supported on a check rail 33.

In FIG. 9, the grinding machine 1 including guiding handle 9 is arranged on the rail 2 rotated by 90° relative to the positions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this, the grinding machine 1 is securely guided by means of the support rollers 17 and guide rollers 31 applied to the rail 2. Specifically, the grinding machine 1 is supported laterally on the rail head 27 via the support rollers 17. In this position, lateral grinding of the rail 2 is carried out. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A grinding machine being manually displaceable on a track in a longitudinal direction of the track for grinding a rail of the track, the grinding machine comprising: a support frame; a drive motor disposed on said support frame; a vertically adjustable grinding member coupled to said drive motor; at least two interchangeable rail guiding systems; and two rail guides guiding said support frame on the rails, each of said rail guides including a respective quick-change device in which one of said rail guiding systems is configured to be fastened.
 13. The grinding machine according to claim 12, wherein each respective quick-change device includes a socket with internal teeth, and each respective rail guiding system includes a pin with external teeth.
 14. The grinding machine according to claim 12, which further comprises a gear unit connecting said grinding member to said drive motor for power transmission.
 15. The grinding machine according to claim 12, which further comprises a vertical adjustment for said grinding member, and an adjustment element for adjusting a resistance of said vertical adjustment.
 16. The grinding machine according to claim 12, wherein one of said rail guiding systems is a first rail guiding system including an inner plate disk and an outer plate disk for application to a rail head.
 17. The grinding machine according to claim 16, wherein said inner plate disk and said outer plate disk each have a respective axis of rotation, and said axis of rotation of said outer plate disk is inclined downward at an angle relative to said axis of rotation of said inner plate disk.
 18. The grinding machine according to claim 16, wherein another of said rail guiding systems is a second rail guiding system including two plate disks, a guide roller and a guide hook for application to a rail head.
 19. The grinding machine according to claim 12, which further comprises axle carriers, each of said rail guiding systems being configured to be rotatably supported on a respective one of said axle carriers.
 20. The grinding machine according to claim 19, which further comprises a guiding handle to be alternately connected to one or another of said axle carriers, said guiding handle being rotatable about a carrier axis.
 21. The grinding machine according to claim 20, which further comprises a locking device for locking said guiding handle.
 22. The grinding machine according to claim 21, wherein said locking device is a multi-disc brake. 